Jack Burchett wiped his eyes as a crowded room at the Longmont Senior Center applauded for him and his fellow veterans.
A Marine during the Vietnam War, Burchett didn’t get that thanks or welcome home when he returned from serving. The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration took place Tuesday with the hope of fixing that.
“When we came home it wasn’t like this,” Burchett said. “You have to know in our hearts — it’s hard to express it. God bless everybody that’s in this room.”
About a dozen veterans including Burchett were honored with a veteran pinning hosted by TRU Community Care and assisted by members of the American Legion Post 32 Honor Guard. TRU is a nonprofit health care organization offering hospice services and grief support around Boulder County, including specialized care for veterans.
TRU helped pass a bill last year recognizing March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” in Colorado. March 29, 1973 is the last day combat troops and POWs were brought back to American soil, but many did not receive gratitude for their service.
“Because of the stigma of the Vietnam War, many were denied a grateful welcome home,” said Scott Pastor, Air Force veteran and TRU nurse. “... Today we want to devote our attention to giving our Vietnam veterans a long overdue, ‘Welcome home.”
A Vietnam War-era veteran is considered anyone who was on active duty in the U.S. armed forces from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. Gene Schiferl, an Army veteran and member of the Post 32 Honor Guard, said that totals roughly nine million veterans, of which six million are alive today.
“All Vietnam-era veterans answered our nation’s call regardless of where they served are deserving of this commemoration recognition,” Schiferl said. “It was not popular to serve during these times for anyone in uniform.”
Each veteran present received a Vietnam War-era commemoration pin along with a homemade pin with yellow, red and green beads to represent the Vietnam flag and the jungle, which can only be made and given by a Vietnam veteran.
“Each person who served during that period earned and rightly deserved our profound thanks for their service during our country’s involvement in that far away country called Vietnam,” Schiferl said.
Along with receiving the honor, veterans spoke about their service. Family members of deceased Vietnam-era veterans remembered those veteran’s sacrifices.
Mayor of Mead and Air Force veteran Colleen Whitlow also encouraged everyone to visit the Wall That Heals when it comes to the Founders Park in Mead Aug. 18-21. The Wall That Heals is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and mobile education center.
Four veterans received military outreach quilts from Bee Sew Brave, a Longmont quilt guild.
Additionally, representatives of the Veterans Community Project outlined their work to build a tiny home village for homeless veterans in Longmont. The group, which started in Kansas City, Missouri, is bringing its first expansion to Longmont and plans to build 26 tiny homes to house and support veterans.
Burchett and the other veterans expressed their gratitude to be recognized. The ceremony concluded with the retiring of the colors and more appreciation for these veterans.
“(Vietnam veterans) didn’t get that thank you and this is the first time that they’ve heard those words. That’s why we’re doing this today,” Schiferl said.
